Here's a well thought out, intelligent answer for ya bud:
Don't do it. The money sucks compared with the initial investment or following responsibility, there is no glamor and there is no quality of life.

Instead, be an attorney and spend the rest of your career suing airlines (Mesa would be a great start and easy target). More money on that side of the game. Then, as soon as you can afford it (which will be quickly), buy an ex-military jet trainer and get your flying jollies that way. Don't be a professional pilot. We are all tools, especially me and my homeboys at MAG.

P.S.
CP hopeful is definitely not the way to go either... you are lucky to have so many on this board tell you that, and I hope you are not so dense as to dismiss their message veiled in some rough-and-tumble humor. Live, laugh and dont take everything so GD seriously.